Anna
By Pamela Blattner
“Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant [after Simeon’s blessing] she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
Luke 2:36-38 (NKJV)
When we’re first introduced to Anna in Scripture, two words stick out in my mind. First, "she was of great age" - - as in, old. Second, "a widow of about 84 years" - - alone. Anna had been a widow who worshiped, prayed and fasted day and night for several decades and likely lived at the Temple. God used her to state publicly that Jesus was the Redeemer, and Messiah!By Pamela Blattner
“Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant [after Simeon’s blessing] she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
Luke 2:36-38 (NKJV)
It’s amazing, isn’t it, that if we look at her situation, her life seems depressing. Yet, Anna sounds to me like a woman who’s thriving. And I have to think it’s because she had God’s Word and His Spirit. I envision her as an ever-ready, grace-energized woman, filled with joy and in love with God.
Even though Anna was 84 years old, she understood correctly that God still had work for her to do. Anna was old, but not hopeless. She knew the pain of loss, but apparently not bitterness. She realized her limits, but not uselessness; and she had to have known loneliness, but not emptiness. I know a few great Spirit-filled women in nursing homes. I’m amazed at how strong they are, ready to do the work that God gives them when the time arrives. Their abilities and duties may have changed, but they are never too old, never too disabled, never too poor or too lowly to work for the Lord.
Most of us are not called to a famous or super-important position in the work of the Lord, but all of us are equipped by God to serve Him in whatever capacity we’re able. That includes doing a good job at work, keeping our house clean, taking meals to the needy, helping young mothers with child care, shoveling the snow for our neighbors, praying for others, visiting the sick, sending cards to the grieving, visiting nursing home residents, etc. Serving the Lord is simply living each day as a Christian and taking the opportunities that come our way to serve others and let them know about Christ, our Messiah.
GOING DEEPER:
1. There was a pattern in Anna’s life. Anna made choices to worship and give thanks. What can you apply to your own life’s pattern?
FURTHER READING: Psalm 92
Pam and her husband Richard have two adult children and two grandchildren. She serves Oakwood through its Family Care and is Co-Coordinator of Touched Twice Ministries.
